We oppose banned outfits contesting polls: Bilawal

PPP chief says no reason to delay polls as even war-stricken states hold timely elections

QUETTA/ATTOCK: Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said on Monday the party seeks timely elections as even in war-stricken countries like Iraq and Afghanistan, polls are held as scheduled.

“We are optimistic to form federal and provincial governments, but we can also opt to form a political alliance with any leading party after the elections if they match with our election manifesto.” said Bilawal while addressing a news conference in Quetta.

Sharing his views on the recent spate of violence in the country the PPP chief said, despite the country facing immense odds in face of terrorism, election must be held on its decided schedule because we have precedents of Iraq and Afghanistan where election are being held despite war.

Meanwhile, the central spokesperson of PPP former Senator Farhatullah Babar, provincial president Haji Ali Madad Jattak, general secretary Syed Iqbal Shah and former senator Rozi Khan Kakar accompanied with the PPP chairman. Bilawal also strongly condemned the suicide attack on Nawabzada Siraj Raisani and martyrdom of 149 people in one of the country’s most gruesome attacks in Balochistan.

“Pakistan Peoples’ Party had suspended all its election activities following the Mastung blast to show that we are standing with people of Balochistan in their harsh time, resumption of law and order and peace would be priority of our party if we get elected in the July 25 vote”, said the Bhutto scion.

Discussing the implementation of National Action Plan (NAP) Chairman PPP said, from the very first day we have been demanding full implementation of National Action Plan. “Thousands of people including civilians and security personnel have sacrificed their lives in terrorism but this huge loss could have been prevented had NAP been implemented fully.”



Sharing his concern over the electables of banned organisations taking part in election Bilawal Bhutto said, unfortunately extremist groups have been given space in election that pollutes political process. “It undermines our democracy, it undermines parliament, it undermines the position of our country and PPP opposes the participation of banned organisations in elections.”

Slamming Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf chief Imran Khan, Bilawal said, “Imran vowed to end corruption from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa in 90 days but failed to deliver on his promise”. He added, law and order, peace and agriculture are PPP priorities.

Moreover, Bilawal dispelled speculation regarding PPP’s weak position in Punjab. “it is a wrong perception that PPP has completely vanished from Punjab. We are a national level political force and not limited to Sindh.”

Meanwhile, addressing a public gathering in Pindigheb, the PPP Chairman said, “We are fighting against poverty, social injustice, and unemployment and want prosperity for the masses that have been neglected by those having vested interests”.

He said the PPP government had established 14 universities in Sindh besides making arrangements for free of cost medical treatment of the poor. Bilawal said, “The enemies of the country wanted to corner PPP, but they would not succeed in their nefarious designs as this party had its roots in public”.

The PPP chief further said that in his manifesto the financial betterment of the poor women is also on priority and they will be given interest free loans to enable them to help their families.

Similarly, Bilawal said he was astonished to see the spirit of party activists and emphasised upon the people to vote for the PPP if they wanted an end to injustice.

“PPP is the only political party which could serve the people with true spirit while others are only cheating people”, he added. (With additional input from APP)